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Donald Macleod follows Prokofiev as he tries to establish himself in America – with mixed results.

After a series of revolutions in his native Russia, the young composer Sergei Prokofiev made the decision to leave his homeland and to head to United States in search of fame and fortune. His years in the United States would turn into some of the most tumultuous of his life. Across this week, Donald explores how those years in exile and how it would prove to be one of his most challenging periods professionally, financially and personally.

His life was set against the turbulent events of the first half of the twentieth century, and forces beyond his control so often intervened to scupper his grand ambitions.

After his first American commission, fate intervenes to put the composer in a very difficult position.

The Love for Three Oranges Symphonic Suite, Op 33bis (Marche)
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Four Pieces, Op 32 (selection)
Boris Berman, piano

Piano Concerto No 3 in C major, Op 26 (mvts 1 & 2)
Freddy Kempf, piano
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Litton, conductor

Five melodies for violin and piano, Op 35bis (selection)
Aylen Pritchen, violin
Yury Favorin, piano

The Fiery Angel, Op 37 (Act IV Scene 1)
Sergei Leiferkus, baritone (Ruprecht)
Galina Gorchakova, soprano (Renata)
Kirov Theatre Chorus and Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, conductor

Sonata No 3 in A minor, Op 28
Martha Argerich, piano

Producer: Glyn Tansley for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales